Multi-touch interfaces for user authentication, partitioning, and external device control

ABSTRACT

Multi-touch interfaces allow user interaction with multiple points of contact to control external devices such as game consoles, authenticate users, partition the interface for multiple users, and so forth. The multi-touch interface may provide graphical representations that are manipulated by users through multiple points of contact to participate in games running on an external game console. Additionally, user authentication may occur through multiple points of contact with the multi-touch interface where each user has a unique contact pattern that includes points of contact, location of points of contact, rhythm of points of contact, and so forth. The graphical representations may be customized based on the authentication of a user, and the multi-touch surface may be partitioned based on the number of users present.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/862,489, filed Sep. 27, 2007 now U.S. Pat. No. 8,009,147, theentirety of which is herein incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments provide multi-touch interfaces that allow users to interactvia multiple points of physical contact. More particularly, theembodiments provide multi-touch interfaces that allow for externaldevice control and/or authentication of users via the multiple points ofcontact.

BACKGROUND

Touchscreens are useful interfaces for users as they allow the user tointeract with visual displays of items such as icons, buttons,documents, and so forth. Recently, touchscreens have evolved to providemulti-touch interfaces that allow users to interact via multiple pointsof contact. This allows users to perform complex manipulations such asgrasping, stretching, and the like of objects being displayed.

While multi-touch interfaces allow for such complex manipulation, theuses of the multi-touch interface remain limited largely to interactionwith typical desktop objects such as icons, buttons, and documents suchas web pages. More recent developments also allow for recognition ofobjects placed onto the multi-touch interface. However, users may desireadditional involvement with the multi-touch interface in other contextsthan those currently provided.

SUMMARY

Embodiments provide for user authentication, partitioning, and/orexternal device control through interaction with multi-touch interfaces.For example, users of the multi-touch interface may be authenticated forvarious purposes, such as to customize the device controls and/orpartition the multi-touch space, by allowing for physical contactpattern matching via the multi-touch interface. The multi-touchinterface may provide for external device control, such as providingcontrols for a gaming console, by receiving multi-touch input.Additionally, the multi-touch interface may be partitioned to providephysical areas that are distinguishable such as to provide each userwith a defined interface area.

Embodiments provide a computer readable medium containing instructionsfor performing acts in conjunction with a multi-touch interface. Theacts include receiving input signals in response to multiple points ofsimultaneous physical contact on the multi-touch interface and comparingthe input signals to data that is stored in a memory and that representsa pattern of physical contact associated with a user. The acts furtherinclude determining from the comparison whether the physical contactrepresented by the input signals matches the pattern of physical contactassociated with the user. Additionally, a signal value is produced thatindicates a successful authentication of the user and that identifiesthe user upon determining that the physical contact matches the patternof physical contact associated with the user.

Embodiments provide a device for generating external control signalsthat includes a multi-touch interface that produces input signals inresponse to multiple points of simultaneous physical contact. The devicefurther includes a processing device that is in data communication withthe multi-touch interface and that analyzes the input signals to produceinstructions to manipulate an aspect of an electronic game. The devicealso includes an output interface for sending game control signals to agaming console, and the output interface receives the instructions fromthe processing device and generates the game control signals based onthe instructions.

Embodiments provide a method of providing defined areas of interactionwith a multi-touch display. The method involves defining physical areasof the multi-touch display as logically separate areas without regard tocontent being displayed on the multi-touch display. The method furtherinvolves receiving multiple points of simultaneous physical contact onthe multi-touch display and determining which of the multiple points ofsimultaneous physical contact occur within each of the logicallyseparate areas. Additionally, the method involves producing at least onesignal based on which of the multiple points of contact occur withineach of the logically separate areas.

Other systems, methods, and/or computer program products according toembodiments will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art uponreview of the following drawings and detailed description. It isintended that all such additional systems, methods, and/or computerprogram products be included within this description, be within thescope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanyingclaims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows one example of a multi-touch interface.

FIG. 2 shows one example of a set of logical operations being performedby a multi-touch interface to authenticate users.

FIG. 3 shows one example of a set of logical operations being performedby a multi-touch interface according to various embodiments to provide agame controller function in association with a game console.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a display screen of the multi-touch interfaceaccording to various embodiments acting as a game controller.

FIG. 5 shows an example of logical operations being performed by amulti-touch interface according to various embodiments to providepartitioning of the interface.

FIG. 6 shows an example of logical operations being performed by amulti-touch interface according to various embodiments to receive andact on physical contact as input after partitioning the interface.

FIG. 7 shows an example of user profile associations being implementedby a multi-touch interface according to various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments provide for various manners of additional interaction withmulti-touch interfaces. Embodiments may provide for authentication ofusers by recognition of multi-touch interaction such as the number andlocation of the points of contact. Embodiments may provide for externaldevice control, such as the control of a game console, throughmulti-touch interaction. Furthermore, embodiments may provide forpartitioning of the multi-touch interface such as to provide fordifferent workspaces to perform different tasks and/or to separateinteractions of one user from those of another.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a multi-touch interface system. Themulti-touch interface system includes a multi-touch interface 102 whichis receptive of multiple simultaneous points of physical contact byusers while also providing a visual display. In this example shown, twousers have simultaneously placed their palms onto the screen to producetwo different handprints 118, 122 on the multi-touch interface 102, withmany points of contact present within each handprint 118, 122.

As discussed in more detail below, the users in this example haveinteracted with the multi-touch interface 102 in such a way as toprovide a recognizable pattern of physical contact. As a result, in thisparticular embodiment, the multi-touch interface 102 has defined apartition for each user, with the user for the handprint 118 having afirst partition 120 and the user for the handprint 122 having a secondpartition 124. The partitions 120, 124 may be used for various purposescustomized for or otherwise dedicated to uses specific to each user.

The multi-touch interface 102 may produce a visual display by includingliquid crystal display (LCD) technology, light emitting diode (LED)technology), or plasma technology, as well as various other displaytechnologies well known in the art. The multi-touch interface 102 maygenerate such displays by being driven from an interconnected displaygeneration module 104, such as a one of the many variants of a videographics array (VGA) adapter.

The multi-touch interface 102 may receive and register the physicalcontact of the users, including multiple simultaneous points of physicalcontact, by including sensory technology such as capacitive pressuredetection or optical recognition as well as various other technologiesfor physical contact detection that are well known in the art. Themulti-touch interface 102 may generate signals representative of suchphysical contact detection through a multi-touch sensing module 106 thatincludes well known circuitry for converting the capacitive pressuredetection, optical recognition, or other raw signal into data signalsthat can be processed.

Additionally, other forms of physiological sensing may occur tosupplement the detection of the physical contact. For example, thetemperature of the user at the points of contact may be detected viatemperature sensing techniques such as using thermocouples and the like.Perspiration or other chemical detection at the points of contact may bedetected through sensors that are responsive to chemical reaction.Furthermore, non-contact related physiological sensing may be used tofurther supplement the sensing of the physical contact. For example,voice recognition may be performed, either by voice detection componentsof the sensing module 106 or by voice detection components of thecorresponding computer system. Thus, temperature patterns, perspirationor other chemical qualities, voice commands, and/or voice prints may beused in conjunction with the embodiments below.

The multi-touch interface 102 is interconnected to equipment that mayform an integrated or separate computer system. The display generationmodule 104 and multi-touch sensing module 106 may be integrated into themulti-touch interface 102, into an integrated computer system, orintegrated into a separate computer system. In any of theseconfigurations, a processor 108 is present to provide displayinstructions to the display generation module 104 and to receive datarepresentative of the physical contact with the multi-touch interface102 as input signals from the multi-touch sensing module 106.

The processor 108 of this example also communicates over a data bus witha memory 110, a storage device 112, an audio generation module 116, andwith external connectivity ports 114. The memory 110 may storeinformation that the processor 108 is using when generating displays,when receiving input signals representative of the physical contact, andwhen performing other typical computer system tasks. The memory 110 mayalso store instructions to be performed by the processor 108 whenperforming such tasks. The storage device 112 may also store suchinformation, such as for long term, non-volatile storage. Furthermore,the storage device 112 may store additional long term data, such as userprofile information which may include data that the processor 108implements to provide customization or other user specific features suchas when authenticating, partitioning, and providing external devicecontrol.

The processor 108 may be of various types such as a general purposeprogrammable processor, an application specific processor, hard-wireddigital logic, and various combinations thereof. The processor 108, thememory 110, and the storage device 112 are examples of computer readablemedia which store instructions that when performed implement variouslogical operations. Such computer readable media may include variousstorage media including electronic, magnetic, and optical storage.Computer readable media may also include communications media, such aswired and wireless connections used to transfer the instructions or sendand receive other data messages.

The processor 108 may communicate with external devices through theexternal connectivity ports 114. For example, a network interface portmay be provided to allow for communication with a network 126, such as alocal area network, wide area networks, the Internet, and so forth.Examples include Ethernet ports, Wi-Fi ports, and so on. Furthermore,these external ports 114 may be used to communicate with externaldevices. For example, an infrared or radio frequency emitter may beincluded to communicate remote control signals to electronic equipmentsuch as televisions, digital versatile disc players, and so forth. Asanother example, a game console output connector may be provided to sendgame console controller signals to an external game console 128 such asa PLAYSTATION® console, XBOX® console, and the like.

Users may interact with displayed graphics on the multi-touch interface102 in order to establish communications with external devices. Forexample, a remote control graphic may be provided to allow functions tobe selected by a user and remote control signals corresponding to theselected function may then be transmitted. Likewise, a game controllergraphic, such as those discussed below in relation to FIGS. 3 and 4 maybe displayed to allow game control inputs to be selected by a user andgame console signals corresponding to the selected game control inputsmay then be transmitted to the game console 128.

FIG. 2 shows one example of a set of logical operations being performedby the processor 108 to authenticate users. Authentication of users ofthe multi-touch interface 102 may allow for many additional features.For example, a user may be authenticated in order to establish apartition on the multi-touch interface 102 that is dedicated toapplications, external devices, functions, and features specific to theuser or to dedicate the entire multi-touch interface to suchuser-specific things. Furthermore, authentication may result incustomization of the display or partition for the user, customization oficons, controls, and so forth. For example, the user may prefer aparticular configuration of game controller buttons and the multi-touchinterface 102 may display the game controller with the particularconfiguration on the display, and within the authenticated user'spartition for embodiments where partitioning is being provided.

The logical operations begin at an input operation 202 where theprocessor 108 receives the input signals that include data that isrepresentative of the physical contact on the multi-touch interface 102.The input signals may represent that there are multiple points ofcontact with the number of points of contact and the location of thepoints of contact being defined within the input signals. Furthermore,the processor 108 may receive a series of signals over time and may lookfor a change in the number and location of the points of contact, suchas to see a pattern to the physical contact including rhythms, pace ofchanges in specific finger and hand configurations, size of fingerspacing, size of handprints, pressure of each of the points of physicalcontact, and so forth. Additionally, according to some embodiments, theprocessor 108 may also receive input signals for the supplementalphysiological sensing that is occurring, if any, such as thetemperature, perspiration, and voice sensing that is discussed above.

The processor 108 stores the received pattern of physical contact thatis specified by the data of the input signals in the memory 110 at astorage operation 204. According to some embodiments, the processor 108may also store the corresponding supplemental physiological data.

The processor 108 then accesses from the storage 112 the patternsassociated with each of the users subject to authentication at an accessoperation 206. According to exemplary embodiments, users wishing to beauthenticated have previously entered the authentication pattern oftheir choice via the multi-touch interface 102 during a setup routine sothat the processor 108 has stored their authentication pattern inadvance and accesses the patterns at this point to attempt anauthentication of the present user.

The processor 108 compares the received pattern to the patterns thathave been previously stored at a comparison operation 208. Here, theprocessor 108 is looking for matches of the various criteria of thepattern such as the number of points of contact, the location of thepoints of contact relative to the bounds of the multi-touch interface102 and/or relative to each of the other points of contact, the changeto the points of contact over a time period, and so on. For someembodiments, the processor 108 may also look for matches of thesupplemental physiological data for further discrimination and/oraccuracy to the pattern matching.

At a query operation 210, the processor 108 detects whether a match hasbeen found between the received pattern and the stored patterns. If nomatch has been found, then the processor 108 proceeds in performing anyfunctions related to the contact, such as selection of a displayedobject or menu item, resizing or movement of objects, and so forth atfunction operation 212. If a match is found, then the processor 108 thenproduces output signals needed to produce the results that areassociated with the matched pattern and to acknowledge that a successfulauthentication has occurred at output operation 214.

For example, the processor 108 may produce signals to cause the displayadapter to display a custom user interface for the user and/or todisplay custom graphics such as background images, colors, and controls.The processor 108 may produce signals to partition an area around thelocation of the physical contact to designate it as a workspace of theauthenticated user. The processor 108 may activate custom applicationsof the authenticated user such as displayed remote controls, gamecontrollers, and so forth.

FIG. 3 shows one example of a set of logical operations that may beperformed by the processor 108 to provide a game controller feature viathe multi-touch interface 102. The processor 108 may provide the gamecontroller feature in various ways. In one example, the processor 108displays a game controller with a particular configuration of gamecontrol input selections such as buttons and control pads as in adisplay operation 302. In another example, the processor 108 receivespatterns of physical contact such as within a dedicated partition, suchas the partition 120, 124, of the display to represent game controlinputs rather than receiving selection of a displayed game controllerselection as in a designation operation 304. In yet another example, theprocessor 108 may display a game controller and receive selections fromthe displayed game controller as well as receiving patterns of physicalcontact unrelated to the displayed game controller to representadditional game control inputs.

The processor 108 begins receiving input signals containing data thatrepresents the physical contact on the multi-touch interface 102 at areception operation 306. The physical contact being represented may bein conjunction with displayed game controller selections where thephysical contact takes place at the area of the multi-touch interface102 where the game controller selections are displayed. The physicalcontact being represented may be patterns in conjunction with adesignated partition, such as the partition 120, 124, of the multi-touchinterface 102.

The processor 108 analyzes the data of these input signals to determinethe particular game controller functions that are being selected by theuser at an analyze operation 308. The location of the points of contactmap to the displayed selections of the game controller. Rhythms,pressure, and the number of points of contact relate to patterns ofphysical contact that may represent game controller functions.

The processor 108 produces instructions that match the determined gamecontroller functions at an instruction operation 310. The output port ofthe connected game console 128 converts these instructions to outputsignals recognizable by the connected game console 128 at an outputoperation 312. The game console 128 then implements these instructionsas if a conventional game controller was being used.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the multi-touch interface 102 displaying twogame controllers 150, 152, each within a corresponding partition, suchas the partition 120, 124. The first controller 150 of this example hasa first configuration as defined for the user who has been authenticatedwithin the first partition 120. A control pad 130 is displayed on theright side, a control stick 132 is displayed at top-center, anadministrative button 134 is displayed at bottom-center, and a set ofgame buttons 136 are displayed in a square pattern on the left. Thesecond controller 152 of this example has a second configuration asdefined for the user who has been authenticated within the secondpartition 124. A control pad 138 is displayed on the left side, acontrol stick 140 is displayed at bottom-center, an administrativebutton 142 is displayed at bottom-right, and a set of game buttons 144are displayed linearly along the top.

Thus, it can be seen that two players may simultaneously interact withthe corresponding game controllers 150, 152 being displayed on the samemulti-touch interface 102. It can further be seen that the gamecontrollers 150, 152 may be customized to each user, may be displayedwithin a partition, such as the partition 120, 124, for each user, andmay be displayed as a result of the user being authenticated.

The game controller 150, 152 being displayed may have pressure sensitivecontrols where the multi-touch interface 102 has pressure detection.Furthermore, the game controller 150, 152 being displayed may haveproportional controls, controls based on the combinations and/orsequences of buttons, and so forth. Thus, the game controller 150, 152being displayed may provide similar if not the same controllability aswould be provided by a game controller that has pressure sensitivebuttons, proportional control sticks, and so forth.

FIG. 5 shows one example of a set of logical operations being performedby the processor 108 to establish one or more partitions, such as thepartitions 120, 124, on the multi-touch interface 102. The logicaloperations begin by the processor 108 receiving an input signal thatincludes data representative of physical contact on the interface 102 ata reception operation 502. The processor 108 then analyzes the data ofthe input signals to determine whether a partition request has occurredat an analyze operation 504. Here, the processor 108 may be looking fora location of the physical contact that matches a displayed menu optionor icon to activate partitioning. As an alternative, the processor 108may be looking for a pattern of physical contact that represents arequest to partition.

At a query operation 506, the processor 108 determines whether apartition request has been received based on the analysis. If not, thenthe processor 108 proceeds in performing any functions related to thecontact, such as selection of a displayed object or menu item, resizingor movement of objects, and so forth at a function operation 508. If amatch is found, then the processor 108 creates a partition, such as thepartition 120, 124, by defining a physical area on the multi-touchinterface 102 as a separate logical area at a partition operation 510.Here, the processor 108 may draw a boundary line, such as the dashedlines shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 to visually indicate the location of thepartition 120, 124. The processor 108 may associate the partition 120,124 with a user by associating the defined space with a user profile tocustomize the partition in accordance with the profile

The partition request of this embodiment may be an anonymous request(i.e., not from an authenticated user), may be a request of a previouslyauthenticated user, or may be a request that serves to both request thepartition 120, 124 and authenticate the user. For instances where therequest is an anonymous request, then according to various embodimentsand as discussed below in relation to FIG. 6, a user may subsequentlyattempt to be authenticated to the partition 120, 124 to effectivelytake possession of that partition of the multi-touch interface 102.

A second option is shown in FIG. 5 where the processor 108 begins bydefining the partition 120, 124 at the partition operation 510 as anautomatic function rather than in response to a user request. Forexample, the processor 108 may be configured to define one or morepartitions upon start-up. The partition(s) 120, 124 that is establishedmay already be dedicated to a particular user, or as discussed below inrelation to FIG. 6, a user may be authenticated to a particularpartition after the partition has been established.

FIG. 6 shows one example of a set of logical operations corresponding tothe function operation 508 of FIG. 5. These logical operations begin bythe processor 108 analyzing the data of the input signal to determinewhether other features besides a partition request have been received atan analysis operation 602. Examples of such features include a requestfor authentication, a request for a particular application to beinvoked, such as a remote control or game controller application, and soforth. The processor 108 then detects at a query operation 604 whetherthe physical contact occurred within one or more partitions, such as thepartitions 120, 124, that have been established. If the contact was notwithin the established partition 120, 124, then the processor 108proceeds in performing any functions not specific to the particularpartition that are related to the contact, such as selection of adisplayed object or menu item, resizing or movement of objects, and soforth at a function operation 606.

Where the processor 108 finds that the contact did occur within thebounds of the partition 120, 124 that has been defined, then theprocessor 108 detects whether the partition is already associated with aparticular user, such as one who has been authenticated to the partitionor one who is automatically assigned to the partition at a queryoperation 608. If the partition 120, 124 where the contact has occurredis not associated with a user, then the processor 608 detects whetherthe contact is an authentication request for the partition at a queryoperation 610. This detection may proceed according to the logicaloperations discussed above in relation to FIG. 2 regarding a userattempting to be authenticated. If the contact is not a partitionrequest, then operational flow proceeds to the function operation 606.If the contact is a partition request, then the processor 108 associatesthe partition with the authenticated user at association operation 612.

Returning to the query operation 608, where the processor 108 finds thatthe partition 120, 124 is already associated with an authenticated user,then the processor 108 produces output signals to proceed with functionsrelated to the contact at an output operation 614. However, these outputsignals are produced in recognition of the context that is establishedfor the authenticated user and with respect to the partition 120, 124 inwhich the contact has occurred. Thus, within this partition 120, 124, acustom display may result that provides custom responses to physicalcontact, custom applications may be offered to the user within thepartition, options to control external devices associated with theauthenticated user may be offered within the partition, and so forth.

FIG. 7 shows one example of a database within the storage device 112that contains the user profiles for the multi-touch interface 102. Theuser profiles may maintain the various associations between the identityof the user, the authentication pattern of the user, various interfaceoptions to apply on behalf of the user, and other such user specificassociations. In this example shown, the database includes a firstcolumn 702 that includes the identity of each user who is eligible forauthentication or for other user-specific features of the multi-touchinterface 102.

Other columns are present within the database to provide guidance to theprocessor 108 regarding the user specific criteria. In a second column704, the database includes the authentication patterns of each user. Theauthentication patterns may be specified in terms of which part of thehand or hands of a user is making contact at which point in a sequenceof the pattern, how much pressure should be applied, and the speed atwhich the sequence should proceed. For example, user A has a patternthat begins with all five fingertips of a hand making contact, then thefirst, third, and fifth fingertips only, then all five fingertips, andthen the second and fourth fingertips only. User A is to follow thissequence with low pressure being applied but with a fast pace from onestep of the sequence to the next.

As one specific example of authentication patterns, the sequence maycorrespond to musical notes, such as those being played on a pianokeyboard. Thus, the user may place one or both hands near themulti-touch interface 102 and proceed to move his or her fingers as ifplaying a song on a piano. The notes, the tempo, the fortissimo, thecrescendo, and any other relevant musical criteria may form theauthentication pattern that must be matched in order to successfully beauthenticated.

A third column 706 of this example provides a set partition size forthis user. Thus, when the user is authenticated and requests apartition, such as the partition 120, 124, this particular sizepartition will be defined. The partition size may be specified as apercentage of the overall space of the multi-touch interface 102, as aspecific set of coordinates, and so on. The partition 120, 124 may bedefined based on the center of the points of contact being the center ofthe partition, based on a specific location as defined in the userprofile, or by some similar manner. As an alternative, upon requesting apartition, the processor 108 may generate a message on the display toprompt the user to draw the desired bounds of the partition 120, 124that has been requested.

A fourth column 708 of this example provides a set of display optionsfor this user. Thus, when this user is authenticated, these displayoptions may be applied to the space on the multi-touch interface 102being used by this user. In one instance, these display options may beapplied to the entire multi-touch interface 102, such as where nopartitions are present and no other user with display options has beenauthenticated. In another instance, these display options are limited toa set portion of the multi-touch interface 102, such as the partition120, 124 within which the user has been authenticated. The displayoptions may include themes with color schemes, icon styles, menu styles,and the like. The display options may further include feature sets suchas tasks to be performed based on particular patterns of physicalcontact, the available applications, and so on.

A fifth column 710 of this example provides a game controller style forthe user. As discussed above in relation to FIG. 4, the style of gamecontroller, such as the game controller 150, 152, may vary from one userto the next. Thus, upon a user being authenticated, when the usersubsequently requests that a game controller application be provided,the game controller 150, 152 that is provided to the user may be thatwhich is specified in the user profile.

Embodiments as discussed above provide users with increased usability ofthe multi-touch interface 102. Features such as authentication,partitioning, and external device control give users additional featuresthat may increase the enjoyment and productivity available from themulti-touch interfaces 102.

While embodiments have been particularly shown and described, it will beunderstood by those skilled in the art that various other changes in theform and details may be made therein without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention.

1. A device for user authentication, comprising: a multi-touch interfaceproducing input signals in response to multiple points of simultaneousphysical contact; a processor in data communication with the multi-touchinterface; and a memory, in data communication with the processor,configured to store data that represents a pattern of physical contactassociated with a user and storing instructions which, when executed bythe processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:comparing the input signals to the data that is stored in the memorythat represents the pattern of physical contact associated with theuser, determining from the comparison whether physical contactrepresented by the input signals matches the pattern of physical contactassociated with the user, and producing a signal value that indicates asuccessful authentication of the user and that identifies the user upondetermining that the physical contact represented by the input signalsmatches the pattern of the physical contact associated with the user. 2.The device of claim 1, wherein the memory is configured to store datarepresenting patterns of physical contact for a plurality of users andstores instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause theprocessor to perform producing signal values for each user that areauthenticated by the patterns of physical contact.
 3. The device ofclaim 2, wherein the memory further stores instructions which, whenexecuted by the processor, cause the processor to perform partitioningthe multi-touch interface into a separate area for each user who issuccessfully authenticated.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein thepattern of physical contact comprises a number and location of thepoints of contact.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein the pattern ofphysical contact further comprises a rhythm from at least one of thepoints of contact, and wherein the memory further stores instructionswhich, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to performconducting supplemental physiological sensing and consideringinformation from the supplemental physiological sensing in addition tothe pattern of physical contact.
 6. The device of claim 1, furthercomprising: a display generator in data communication with theprocessor, wherein the memory further stores instructions which, whenexecuted by the processor, cause the processor to perform instructingthe display generator to generate a display that is unique to the useridentified by the signal.
 7. The device of claim 6, wherein the memoryfurther stores instructions which, when executed by the processor, causethe processor to perform instructing the display generator to generate adisplay of a game controller and generate control signals based oninteraction with the game controller, and the device further comprisesan output interface coupled to the processor and outputting the controlsignals to a game console as control signals.
 8. A tangible computerreadable medium containing instructions which, when executed by acomputer, cause the computer to perform acts in conjunction with amulti-touch display, the acts comprising: defining physical areas of themulti-touch display as logically separate areas without regard tocontent being displayed on the multi-touch display; receiving multiplepoints of simultaneous physical contact on the multi-touch display;determining which of the multiple points of simultaneous physicalcontact occur within each of the logically separate areas; and producinga signal based on which of the multiple points of contact occur withineach of the logically separate areas.
 9. The tangible computer readablemedium of claim 8, wherein multiple signals are produced, wherein afirst signal corresponds to multiple points of physical contact within afirst area of the multi-touch display and wherein a second signaldifferent than the first signal corresponds to multiple points ofphysical contact within a second area of the multi-touch display. 10.The tangible computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein the first areaof the multi-touch display corresponds to a control of a first externaldevice and wherein the second area of the multi-touch displaycorresponds to a control of a second external device.
 11. The tangiblecomputer readable medium of claim 8, wherein the acts further comprisereceiving a set of multiple points of physical contact on themulti-touch display and wherein defining the physical areas comprisesbasing a first area of the physical areas on where the set of multiplepoints of physical contact occurs on the multi-touch display.
 12. Thetangible computer readable medium of claim 11, wherein the acts furthercomprise: detecting from the set of multiple points of contact whether apattern is present that matches a pattern stored in association with theidentification of a user; and upon detecting that the pattern is presentthat matches the pattern stored in association with the user, applyingsubsequent physical contact occurring within the first area as input toapplications of the multi-touch interface that are associated with theuser.
 13. The tangible computer readable medium of claim 12, wherein anapplication of the multi-touch interface that is associated with theuser is control information for an external game console.
 14. A methodfor user authentication, comprising: receiving, via a multi-touchinterface, input signals in response to multiple points of simultaneousphysical contact on the multi-touch interface; comparing the inputsignals to data that is stored in a memory and that represents a patternof physical contact associated with a user; determining from thecomparison whether physical contact represented by the input signalsmatches the pattern of physical contact associated with the user; andproducing a signal value that indicates a successful authentication ofthe user and that identifies the user upon determining that the physicalcontact represented by the input signals matches the pattern of physicalcontact associated with the user.
 15. The method of claim 14, whereinthe memory stores data representing patterns of physical contact for aplurality of users and wherein the method further comprises producingsignal values for each user that are authenticated by the patterns ofphysical contact.
 16. The method of claim 15, further comprisingpartitioning the multi-touch interface into a separate area for eachuser who is successfully authenticated.
 17. The method claim 14, whereinthe pattern of physical contact comprises a number and location of thepoints of contact.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the pattern ofphysical contact further comprises a rhythm from at least one of thepoints of contact, and wherein the method further comprises conductingsupplemental physiological sensing and considering information from thesupplemental physiological sensing in addition to the pattern ofphysical contact.
 19. The method of claim 14, further comprisinggenerating a display that is unique to the user identified by the signalvalue.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein generating the displaycomprises generating a display of a game controller, and wherein themethod further comprises generating control signals based on interactionwith the game controller and outputting the control signals to a gameconsole as control signals.